Game apparatus

ABSTRACT

A game apparatus for players comprising a pair of identical seesaw members pivotally mounted centrally of an elongated base with each of the members being provided with a pair of longitudinally extending tracks, one track opening onto a &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;win&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; pocket for a ball-containing capsule and one track for a steel ball. Two steel ball spring projectors are mounted on each end of the base in alignment with and projecting within the two ends of the steel ball tracks and are operative to strike and project the balls to the opposite ends of the tracks to effect tilting of the tracks by their weight and resultant gravity movement of the capsules toward and into the &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;win&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; pockets.

United States Patent [72] Inventors William R. McLain; 3,460,833 8/1969 Killoren 273/120 R Daniel F. Krause; Charles H. Hardin, all of 3,549,149 12/1970 Dreyer et a1. 273/1 10 Davidson County,Tenn. 2,839,298 6/1958 Manocchia .1 272/54 [211 App]. No. 14,975 2,003,370 6/1935 Kimball 273/110X [22] Filed Feb. 27, 1970 2,325,988 8/1943 Thomas. 272/54 X [45] Patented Nov.9, 1971 2,327,309 8/1943 Kyska... 273/110 [73] Assignee Kusan,1nc. 2,846.226 8/1958 Reynolds 273/110 Nashville Tenn Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assixlanl E.t'uminerRichard .l. Apley [5 APPARATUS Attorney-Raymond N. Mutson 14 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. Cl 273/110, ABSTRACT; A game apparatus f phyers comprising a pair 273/115173/119 of identical seesaw members pivotally mounted centrally of an [51] Int. Cl A63f 9/00, elongated base with each f the members being provided i A63f9/14 a pair of longitudinally extending tracks, one track opening [50] Field ofSearch 273/109, onto a pocket f a ba|| comaining capsme and one 1 1 115,118423i272/54 track for a steel ball. Two steel ball spring projectors are mounted on each end of the base in ali nment with and pro- [56] References Cited jecting within the two ends of the stee l ball tracks and are UNITED STATES PATENTS operative to strike and project the balls to the opposite ends of 1,387,241 8/1921 Coulliard 273/109 the tracks to effect tilting of the tracks by their weight and 2,853,301 9/1958 G1ass..... 273/120 R X resultant gravity movement of the capsules toward and into 3,414,263 12/1968 Buchsieb 273/110X the win pockets.

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DA L E KR USE CHARLES H. HARD/N BY Mjma THEIR AGENT GAME APPARATUS This invention relates generally to game apparatus and more particularly to such an apparatus for two players in which each of a pair of seesaws mounted intermediate the ends of an elongated supporting base are provided with dual tracks, one of which is provided with a lighter ball-containing 'capsules and the other is provided with a weighted or steel ball. The capsule-containing tracks are aligned with a win pocket in the end of the base away from each player and each end of the base is provided with two spring projectors in alignment with and projecting within the ends of the steel ball tracks. Each player by projecting his weighted ball to the end opposite him tilts his tracks toward his opponent so that the capsule will move by gravity down its track to the win pocket. Simultaneously each player must try to offset such move by his opponent by attempting to return the steel ball'to his opponents end to reverse the tilt of the seesaws and reverse the motion of the capsule toward the win" pocket.

The primary object of the present invention is thus to provide a novel game apparatus which requires skill and coordination and which' is therefore of continued interest to the players.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a novel game apparatus of the type described which is-strong and rugged in use and susceptible of ready and economical manufacture. a

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the drawings l have shown one embodiment of the invention. In this showing:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the game apparatus comprising the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view thereof looking from the left with the seesaws in the position of tilt shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a transverse vertical sectional view to an enlarged scale taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, longitudinal, vertical, sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, transverse, vertical sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, transverse, vertical sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a ball-containing capsule; and

FIG. 9 is a transverse, vertical sectional view taken on the line 9-9 ofFlG. 2.

Referring to the drawings, the game apparatus of the present invention comprises an elongated base 14 having end portions A and B connected by inverted U-shaped side rails 16, a pair of identical seesaws l8 and 24 pivoted at their miclpoints centrally of the base 14 as will be explained, a pair of steel balls 21 and 27, and a pair of capsules 22 and 28 each of which contains a ball 30 of lighter weight (taken with the capsules) than the steel balls.

While the base and the seesaws may be formed of any desired material, they are preferably formed of polystyrene.

The seesaws l8 and 24 are respectively provided with dual tracks, one-31,37-for the steel balls 21 and 27, and the other -32,38for the capsules 22 and 28. The tracks 31 and 37 are closed at each end by walls 34 which are provided with apertures 35 extending into the bottoms of the tracks as at 36. These apertures (FIG. 1) enable the ends of the seesaws to clear the plungers of the spring projectors which extend beyond their housings as will be described. The tracks 32 and 38 are closed at one end and open at their other ends as at 33.

The seesaws l8 and 24 are each provided with a plain trunnion 40 and a flanged trunnion 42 at their midpoints by which they are pivotally mounted in outer stanchions 44, and an inner stanchion 46 having a cap 48 (FIG. 4), the three projecting upwardly from a crossmember 49. The trunnions 40 are received in circular apertures 50 while the flanged trunnions 42 are placed in semicircular recesses 52 which cooperate with similar recesses 54in the cap when seated and secured to retain the seesaws 18 and 24 secure in their pivots.

- A pair of spring projectors 56 having operating handles 58 and steel ball engaging plungers 60 is mounted on each of the base ends A and Bin alignment with and closely adjacent to the ends of the tracks 31 and 37. The projectors are slidably mounted in recesses 62 in pillow blocks 63 and 64, the springs acting between the latter and a collar 66 fixed to the plunger 60. (FIGS. 5, 6 and 7).

The collars 66 of the four spring projectors 56 are provided with upstanding scale marking pins 68 which project through slots 70 in housing members 72 which enclose the pairs of projectors at each end of the base and retain them in position.

Numerals 74 are placed along the slots 70 as scale markings to act as a guide for the players of the game apparatus.

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 9, a storage bin 76 for the steel balls and a slot 78 with numerals along it and a marker 80 moveable in it is arranged in both of the rails 16. The upper surface of the housing 72 at the base end A is provided with a win" pocket 82 while the housing at the base end B has a "win" pocket 88.

In the operation of the game apparatus, two players position themselves at opposite ends thereof and each tilts the seesaw on his left downwardly toward him. At this time, a steel ball (27,21) is placed in the lowered ends of the tracks 37 and 21 respectively and a .capsule (28,22) is placed in the lowered closed ends of the tracks 38 and 32.

The object of the game is for one of the players to get his capsule into the win pocket of the other player and to prevent his opponent from doing likewise. Thus, the player at end A may project his steel ball 27 with his spring projector 56 to the B end of his track 37 where the weight of the steel ball will reverse the tilt of the seesaw 24 and cause the capsule 28 to tumble end over end down the chute 38 and through the open end 33 into his win" pocket 88 in the base end B. Similarly, the player at end B may project his steel ball 21 with his spring projector 56 to the A end of his track 31 where the weight reverses the tilt of the seesaw I8 and causes the capsule 22 to tumble end over end down the chute 32 and through the open end 33 into his "win" pocket 82.

Either player may prevent the entry of his opponents capsule into the win" pocket by the timely use of his other projector 58-which is on the right-hand side of his end. For example, the player at the end A projects his steel ball 27 toward the end B to tilt the seesaw 24 downwardly toward the end B to effect movement of the capsule 28 toward his win" pocket 88. After taking an equivalent offensive action, the player at the B end waits until the steel ball 27 lies against the end wall of the track 37 and then uses his projector on the right-hand side to project the steel ball 27 back to the end A and by its weight, again reverse the tilt of the seesaw 24 and the direction of tumbling of the capsule 28 before it reaches the win" pocket. The recourse of the player at the A end of the base is, of course, to again initiate his attack set forth above.

while defending against any entry into his win pocket. The number of games won by each player is recorded by either player by moving the market 80 in its slot 78.

It will be appreciated that a marble or a lighter weight steel ball can be substituted for the capsules to afford a variation in the game, such particular variation effecting a real speedup in play due to impact and lack of inertia of the marbles. Essentially, this substitution has been found to be undesirable. However, it is to be understood that the terms, steel ball" and capsule" as used in the specification and claims are intended to include marbles, weighted balls, or any members capable of rolling or sliding down the tilted seesaws as long as the projected members are heavier than the members intended to enter the win" pockets.

We claim:

I. A game apparatus comprising, in combination, a base; seesaws mounted on said base; a first weight member movably positioned on one end of each seesaw and tilting it by gravity toward the adjacent end of said base; a second member of lighter weight movably positioned on said one end; and means mounted on said adjacent ends to effect reverse tilting of said seesaws by said first member and guided gravity movement of said second members to the nonadjacent ends of said base.

2. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said second member comprises a ball-containing capsule.

3. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said second member comprises a marble.

4. The combination recited in claim I wherein said reverse tilt effecting means comprises spring projectors operable to engage said first members to move them to said nonadjacent ends of said seesaws.

5. The combination recited in claim 4 wherein said first and second members comprise balls and capsules respectively.

6. A game apparatus comprising, in combination, an elongated base; a seesaw having a pair of longitudinally extending tracks pivotally mounted on said base; a capsule in one end of one of said tracks and a steel ball positioned in one end of the other of said tracks to tilt the seesaw by their weight toward the adjacent ends of said base; and means mounted on said adjacent end of said base for projecting said ball toward the nonadjacent end of said base to effect reverse tilting of said seesaw and movement of said capsule toward said nonadjacent end by gravity.

7. The combination, recited in claim 6; and additional means mounted on said nonadjacent end of said base for projecting said ball back toward said adjacent end to again reverse the tilt of said seesaw and the direction of movement of said capsule.

8. The combination recited in claim 6 wherein said seesaw includes a pair of trunnions, one of said trunnions being flanged, said base is provided with a pair of apertured stanchions for the pivotal reception of said trunnions, and one of said stanchions includes a cap engaging said flanged trunnion to retain said seesaw in its pivotal mounting.

9. The combination recited in claim 6 wherein said means comprises a spring projector engageable with said steel ball.

10. The combination recited in claim 6 wherein said nonadjacent end of said base includes a capsule-receiving recess in alignment with said capsule-containing track.

1 l. A game apparatus comprising, in combination, an elongated base; a pair of identical seesaws mounted intermediate the ends of said base; said seesaws including a pair of tracks for the separate movement therein of a ball-containing capsule and a heavier ball; said capsule track having an open end and a closed end; said heavier ball track having at least partially open ends for the reception of a projector mounted on each end of said base and engageable through said partially open ends with the balls to project them to the other ends of their tracks.

12. The combination recited in claim 11 wherein said base ends include capsule-receiving recesses in alignment with said open ends of said capsule tracks.

13. The combination recited in claim 11; and additional projectors mounted on each of said other ends of said base to project said balls back toward said ends of said base to reverse the tilt of said seesaws and the direction of movement of said capsules.

14. The combination recited in claim ll wherein each of said seesaws include a pair of trunnions, one of said trunnions being flanged, said base is provided with a pair of apertured stanchions for the pivotal reception of said trunnions, and one of said stanchions includes a cap engaging said flanged trunnion to retain said seesaw in its pivotal mounting. 

1. A game apparatus comprising, in combination, a base; a pair of seesaws mounted on said base; a first weight member movably positioned on one end of each seesaw and tilting it by gravity toward the adjacent end of said base; a second member of lighter weight movably positioned on said one end; and means mounted on said adjacent ends to effect reverse tilting of said seesaws by said first member and guided gravity movement of said second members to the nonadjacent ends of said base.
 2. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said second member comprises a ball-containing capsule.
 3. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said second member comprises a marble.
 4. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said reverse tilt effecting means comprises spring projectors operable to engage said first members to move them to said nonadjacent ends of said seesaws.
 5. The combination recited in claim 4 wherein said first and second members comprise balls and capsules respectively.
 6. A game apparatus comprising, in combination, an elongated base; a seesaw having a pair of longitudinally extending tracks pivotally mounted on said base; a capsule in one end of one of said tracks and a steel ball positioned in one end of the other of said tracks to tilt the seesaw by their weight toward the adjacent ends of said base; and means mounted on said adjacent end of said base for projecting said ball toward the nonadjacent end of said base to effect reverse tilting of said seesaw and movement of said capsule toward said nonadjacent end by gravity.
 7. The combination, recited in claim 6; and additional means mounted on said nonadjacent end of said base for projecting said ball back toward said adjacent end to again reverse the tilt of said seesaw and the direction of movement of said capsule.
 8. The combination recited in claim 6 wherein said seesaw includes a pair of trunnions, one of said trunnions being flanged, said base is provided with a pair of apertured stanchions for the pivotal reception of said trunnions, and one of said stanchions includes a cap engaging said flanged trunnion to retain said seesaw in its pivotal mounting.
 9. The combination recited in claim 6 wherein said means comprises a spring projector engageable with said Steel ball.
 10. The combination recited in claim 6 wherein said nonadjacent end of said base includes a capsule-receiving recess in alignment with said capsule-containing track.
 11. A game apparatus comprising, in combination, an elongated base; a pair of identical seesaws mounted intermediate the ends of said base; said seesaws including a pair of tracks for the separate movement therein of a ball-containing capsule and a heavier ball; said capsule track having an open end and a closed end; said heavier ball track having at least partially open ends for the reception of a projector mounted on each end of said base and engageable through said partially open ends with the balls to project them to the other ends of their tracks.
 12. The combination recited in claim 11 wherein said base ends include capsule-receiving recesses in alignment with said open ends of said capsule tracks.
 13. The combination recited in claim 11; and additional projectors mounted on each of said other ends of said base to project said balls back toward said ends of said base to reverse the tilt of said seesaws and the direction of movement of said capsules.
 14. The combination recited in claim 11 wherein each of said seesaws include a pair of trunnions, one of said trunnions being flanged, said base is provided with a pair of apertured stanchions for the pivotal reception of said trunnions, and one of said stanchions includes a cap engaging said flanged trunnion to retain said seesaw in its pivotal mounting. 